Groupon Super Bowl Ads Draw Controversy
Social networking/discount site Groupon made a big ad buy during last night’s Super Bowl, but they may not be entirely pleased with the publicity they’ve drawn:
Groupon may not be making its initial public offering yet — but it has made its mark on millions watching the Super Bowl, anyway. What is not clear yet is whether the start-up has burned through a lot of good will.
The company bought its first television ads for the big game, starting before kickoff, with one theme: “Save the Money.” All the commercials are premised on saving something endangered — and a few bucks to boot.
There is Cuba Gooding Jr. lamenting the fate of whales, while touting a 43 percent discount on a whale-watching boat ride. And there is Elizabeth Hurley, intoning about the rapid deforestation of the Brazilian rain forest … followed by a note that “not all deforestation is bad,” like a 50 percent discount on a Brazilian wax in New York City.
Perhaps most controversial of all is Timothy Hutton, deploring the troubles besetting Tibetan culture. Before tucking into a plate of discounted Tibetan fish curry.
Here’s the video of the Tibet ad, which seem to draw the most negative reaction last night:
I’m not sure whether this will help or hurt Groupon in the long run — there is, after all, a school of thought that says there’s no such thing as bad publicity — but it strikes me as a fairly tasteless way to introduce yourself to the American public.
The Tibetan food ad caught my attention, and not in a good way. I thought, ‘What *ssholes!’
Due to some screaming babies in the room (real babies, not steelers fans), I couldn’t really hear most of the commercials. I remember seeing the Hutton ad, but not knowing what it was for. I thought it was just a typical celebrity advocacy ad, paid for by the Sierra Club or the like.
Now that I’ve seen what it really was…wow…
For anyone who likes Groupon, btw, there is a very similar service called LIvingSocial, only with no limits on the amount of coupons one can buy. I think I just may move away from Groupon entirely.
I’m sure a number of people will call Go Daddy’s ad tasteless too.
Joan Rivers as a Hot Babe making suggestive comments? Yeah, I guess you can count me in amongst those who thought Go Daddy’s ad was tasteless. Actually, “gross” might be a better word…
Oh, and by the way, after several Superbowl’s worth of ads, I still don’t know what product Go Daddy sells.
I really can’t understand the controversy.
I thought they were a funny and long called for mocking of the producers of overly santimonious and emotionally manipulative charity fundraising ads.
Sadly, it’s a group that’s also know for their complete lack of humor, so the results are predictable.